Program: Dance Minor - University at Buffalo

Jun 20, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Visit the Theatre and Dance academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Theatre and Dance department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Course Requirements

One Introductory Course (3 credits)

DAC 104LEC - Appreciating Dance Credits: 3

Four Technique Courses (8-12 credits)

Courses must be taken in two different tracks from among: Ballet, Modern or Jazz. Courses may be repeated, but students must successfully complete level 2 at a C or above before continuing to level 3 technique courses.

DAC 116LEC - Ballet Technique I Credits: 3 OR
DAC 213LEC - Ballet 1 Credits: 2-3
DAC 117LEC - Modern Dance Technique I Credits: 3 OR
DAC 201LEC - Modern Dance 1 Credits: 3
DAC 118LEC - Jazz Dance Technique I Credits: 3 OR
DAC 263LEC - Jazz Dance 1 Credits: 2-3
DAC 126LEC - Ballet Technique 2 Credits: 3 OR
DAC 214LEC - Ballet 2 Credits: 2-3
DAC 127LEC - Open Modern 2 Credits: 3 OR
DAC 202LEC - Modern Dance 2 Credits: 2-3
DAC 128LEC - Jazz Dance Technique 2 Credits: 3 OR
DAC 264LEC - Jazz Dance 2 Credits: 2-3
DAC 210LEC - Tap Dance 1 Credits: 3

Four Upper-Division Dance courses (12 credits)

DAC 341SEM - Ballet 3 Credits: 3
DAC 371LEC - Jazz Dance 3 Credits: 3
DAC 381SEM - Social Dance Forms 1 Credits: 3
DAC 400SEM - Creative Movement Credits: 3
DAC 415SEM - Mind-Body Integration Credits: 3
DAC 430LEC - Dance History Credits: 3
DAC 432LEC - Applied Kinesiology and Anatomy for Dancers Credits: 3
DAC 454SEM - Teaching Methods in Dance Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for Minor: 23-27

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

Students enrolled in the Dance BFA or Dance BA program are not eligible to complete the Dance Minor.
To stay a student in good standing, Dance Minors must receive a grade of C or above in all departmental courses.

Learning Outcomes

Diversified Technique Methodologies. Students will demonstrate:

Understanding of rhythmic acuity moving musically & dynamically.
Cognitive use of dance vocabulary.
Sense of placement, elevation, control & style
Sense coordination, use of weight, directional focus
Knowledge of the theory of diversified techniques

Cultural and Historical. Students will be able to:

Demonstrate a knowledge of historical facts, as well as social and cultural issues that influenced development of dance as an art form.
Discuss, articulate, express, and debate a variety of cultural movement contexts technically, historically, philosophically, and aesthetically.
Examine and communicate the importance of dance history in relation to other arts, social and political concerns that influenced the dancers and choreographers of the time
Discuss the role of dance in various cultures and historical periods.

Creative Practice. Students will be able to:

Investigate and generate new movement solutions.
Incorporate the process of movement exploration, concept development, manipulation of ideas, to structure original abstract ideas and to create movement to express them in powerful original ways.
Move spontaneously, without premeditated choreography.